Why do vegans eat food products that represent animals?

Moonlitedi

First off nothing against vegans or the food as I have best friends that are and I cater to them when they come to visit. So yea I have always thought it funny that hard core Vegans eat foods that look like animals. Like burgers. The whole Morning star brand. Fakin bacon etc. Am I the only one that thinks that's funny?

bobbinalong

I've wondered the same, maybe some will do tell ( :

Sidesteal

In.

Anomalia

I think the point is that there isn't any actual animal products in them no matter what the foods resemble.

lynnie30

:laugh:
I have wondered the same thing.

skinnygirl078

I always ate it for
a) Protein. Beans taste nasty to me, so it was my only source of protein.
b) Flavor. I still love the flavour of fake meat WAY more than real meat.
c) Because we can (':

TamAD48

A friend and I have also wondered this

bohonomad

Because vegans have a moral issue with eating animal products, not the taste. Although I know a couple vegetarians that do it because they don;t like the taste of meat (freaaks). And if they want a burger, how else would it look? You can't have a burger with no patty at all.

dpwellman

I have been wondering that for years.

Corollary: people that don't eat meat (Worthington, for one) are the last people who should be attempting to emulate it..

Although, I have to admit, Prosage, in some circumstances, is pretty close to scrapple, Choplets kinda close sorta like gyro meat, and Leanies are quasi deviled ham / potted meat product.

Then again it looks like on it's BEST day vegetarian "meat" barely matches real meat on meat's WORST day.

Moonlitedi

So maybe its not Vegans but the Marketing people that make them choose fake animals. Thus creating this line of awarkness.

bsexton3

Is it not marketing to make it look similar to those not noticing?

A few years ago, we took a group on a mission trip with a vegan. As a group, we went to the Hard Rock Cafe. She got her food first, and said it was the best hamburger she had eaten in years. Sadly, after about half gone, the wait staff came up and said there was a mistake, and they now had the non-meat burger. Needless to say, everyone (including her) had a good laugh.

dpwellman

So maybe its not Vegans but the Marketing people that make them choose fake animals. Thus creating this line of awarkness.

It depends on the culture. I lived in an SDA town, went to an (ultra conservative) SDA school and that's what "everyone" eats. Peer pressure. And it's the norm. People like to be part of a group

EDIT:
Except me.

capriciousmoon

They don't represent animals, they represent forms of food that most people grow up eating and are used to.

rcthale

It's less alienating in social situations like a barbecue. Vegans can keep to their diets without attracting too much attention.

Cold_Steel

It's less alienating in social situations like a barbecue. Vegans can keep to their diets without attracting too much attention.

Oh contrare, that makes me laugh even harder when you are trying to cut your Tofurkey and the darned thing falls apart...

I have always found this very fascinating as well and on several occasions amusing.

If you were just cutting into a block of well flavored tofu - I would not even bat an eye, some tofu is actually pretty good. But to put little crowns on your fake turkey slab and to stuff the collapsing hole with stuffing is just ridiculously amusing to me.

BandedTriaRN

I think the point is that there isn't any actual animal products in them no matter what the foods resemble.

I'm vegetarian and that's exactly why:) But I do know some people like Dr Garth Davis and Steve Martin and my friend, Risha, don't like to eat things that even resemble an animal or animal product. Tonight, we went to a vegetarian/vegan restaurant in Scottsdale and the food was amazing but the "spare ribs" tasted like real meat and it kinda freaked me out. I asked them if it was real lol. No animals died or were harmed in the making of my meal tho:)

ZoeyRobinson

morning star is not vegan there are eggs in most of their products as well as cheese.

Cait_Sidhe

My reasoning for not eating most meat (pescetarian) is not because I object to how meat looks. Seems like a ridiculous question.

It's like asking why people who don't eat worms will eat gummy worms because they look like worms. Don't eat teddy bears? Then why would you eat gummy bears?

jameswanless

Wow, what a ridiculous question. Ask about real issues, weight control, exercise, or something ... but why vegans eat faux meat that still resembles meat forms?

Cold_Steel

My reasoning for not eating most meat (pescetarian) is not because I object to how meat looks. Seems like a ridiculous question.

It's like asking why people who don't eat worms will eat gummy worms because they look like worms. Don't eat teddy bears? Then why would you eat gummy bears?

I think the difference is also in regards to the flavoring of it. Like Tofurkey for instance, its tofu designed to taste and look like a regular turkey...

I dont think gummy worms and bears would be as popular if they actually tasted like real worms and bears...

neverstray

I understand it. There's more societal pressure than you think. Plus, cutting into a tofurky on thanksgiving is just more fun than just cutting into a giant block of baked tofu. It's tradition and allows a vegan the pleasure of enjoying a holiday without being too weird about it.

I'll say it again, societal pressure is more powerful than you think. Plus, what else would a burger look like. Round, triangle, 3 dimensional? How else would you make a burger look?

flowergirl73

morning star is not vegan there are eggs in most of their products as well as cheese.

Morning Star spicy black bean patties are vegan and delicious! Mmmmmm

grrrlface

I'm vegetarian. Most of us don't eat these products everyday, mostly there are for convieniance, it's something I can make quickly and that my omni boyfriend will eat too.

They don't really represent animals, it's just a shape. Like someone above said, what other shape can a burger be? Lol

xASHYxSMASHYx

why do carnivores eat cabbage?

Cold_Steel

why do carnivores eat cabbage?

I have yet to meet a carnivore human ... so I would not know....

Cait_Sidhe

Tofurkey is yummy and has tons of protein. I'd be crazy not to eat it.

KNarrainen

Firstly, I think anyone is entitled to ask any question they like on here.

If you think it's ridiculous then you can just ignore it.

But, I would say that burgers are not the form of an animal, it's just a shape.

kaseysospacey

It is convenient and more socially acceptable. Sometimes,you just want to eat a veggie burger with your friends and not have to make it obvious you are a vegan and different. I was a vegetarian for about 6/7 years and still eat vegan/vegetarian often. I avoid soy for thyroid reasons, but I do occasionally enjoy items such as black bean burgers or veggie burgers because they taste good, simple as that.

xASHYxSMASHYx

why do carnivores eat cabbage?

I have yet to meet a carnivore human ... so I would not know....

Oh sorry I thought we were just asking pointless questions that nobody cares about?

unsuspectingfish

Because they taste good and we can.

They're also a really good substitute in meals when you're eating them with non-vegetarians/vegans and still want to cater to their tastes.

I mean, really, though, why not?

Cold_Steel

But, I would say that burgers are not the form of an animal, it's just a shape.

Agreed I think it is the tofurky, the tofu ribs, the fake bacon etc